Hope everyone is doing well. I have a question first off very stressed have no doctor my doctor left. Don’t know what to do to find a doctor who was like an angel an will understand me an not look at me like I’am crazy. I see a lot of people go to 3 different doctors rheumatologist ,neurologist,an primary why is this? Do you think it helps seeing three different doctors so confused frustrated an I must add have to see a GI doctor due to lots of stomach problems just had a bad flare up with my stomach had to leave work couldn’t even talk pain was so bad don’t really remember how I drove home or anything about yest please help me understand this soooo stressed thank you all lots of hugs to you all melissa
Hi Mel, This is a great question, I have a primary who is very good, but I also see a neurologist who is a pain specialist, he has been my neurologist far before I developed fibro, I saw him initially for migraines & neck pain ( 4 herniated discs) . When fibro hit, he seemed to understand the pain better than my primary, or should I say he was more comfortable to try different pain meds to help manage my pain. I also saw a rheumatologist because my dr. Felt it couldn’t hurt to have her see me, in the event that my dr. Was missing something. I now am trying to get in with a different rheumy because they are more qualified & can look for hidden causes that are autoimmune.
So to ans your question… I would say because fibro symptoms affect so many different parts of our body, it’s good to see specialist who can rule out other disease processes, often times fibro is not alone , there an be arthritis, lymes disease, or even allergies ( just to name a few) that make our symptoms worse.
Your primary can rule out a lot, but they don’t always think of everything like MS, and a neurologist would want to make sure you don’t have MS
A Rheumy would R/O - Arthritis and autoimmune
A Pain specialist would help control pain better than a primary dr.
My next stop is an Endocrinologist… Been reading how hormone imbalance can make fibro symptoms worse.
I hope I didn’t over answer your question & I would say most of us with fibro have seen a GI specialist at some time because many of us suffer with GI issues, IBS is often the culprit
I’m so sorry for your stomach pain, it’s good you are seing someone about this, my GI dr. Finally put me on acidophilus, an antispasmodic for the bowel and I take aloe Vera juice everyday as a supplement.
It’s a lot of work to try and manage all these symptoms…
. Just know your not alone !!!
Hugs & blessings
dee
Thank you so much you helped me understand a lot better a little over whelmed because of now lost primary so have to find all of them did go to neurologist for a while due to migraines guess I will try going back to him because I still suffer I also have herniated discs in my neck an pinched nerve thanks for your help hugs melissa
Hi Mel, I totally understand!! My GP left 2 years ago to join the army, ( go figure, 46 and joining the army???) I now have a new GP that is not anything like my old one. He is curt, always rushed, you only have a few minutes with him, he wants you in and out as fast as possible, doesnt really give a rats ass about his patients. I think he became a dr to make money, not heal the sick. seriously, the new breed of dr's coming out these days only care about themselves and the almighty dollar.
Sorry I am not very encouraging, but I have yet to find anything positive to say about the dr I now have.
That’s ok that is the way I felt toI met my doctor my angel I would be her last patient would bring coffee an shot the breezes she was my therapist to for free lol before her that’s how I was treated when my granddaughter passed away in jan she had me come in an sat with me for 3hrs I know I will never find another dr Mary and I’am scared she still emails me to make sure how I’am but I have to be happy for her this job she took is a lot easier for her 9-5 not 7am til 9 pm some days but self me wants her because today DR’s care about the almighty dollar so lets see how many we can get in to see us today my inc premium went up again lol well I hope. Teresa we both find our loving ,caring doctors again love an hugs to you melissa
Hey there,
Medicine is a huge field, and all doctors should have a general overview of things and be able to signpost you to the relevant experts. Obviously experts in fields have had a much more focused career looking at just a specific body system. Believe me when I say that seeing the experts is a much better way of being treated than just having one doctor. The experts will obviously write to your referring doctor with a plan for you, this plan will then be forwarded with any subsequent referrals so that everyone knows what is going on; however, it does not hurt to have a copy of everything yourself to take with you to appointments.
Good luck with them and if you have any specific questions about things I may be able to help, or point you to someone who can.
*hugs*
Mikex
Hi Mel. I'm so glad you brought this up. I don't have anything to add as I have been avoiding specialists for 3 years, since my fm/cfs diagnosis. Except I did have a colonoscopy last year. I am re-starting the specialist seeking process because my pain level has gone up so much this winter. I have a rheumy appt soon and will be making neurologist appt as well because of neck and head pain. The reply from dee is so right on. I would like to save this conversation somewhere. Anyone know how or if that is possible?
I would encourage you to "just do it". Knock one thing off at a time. Start with the one that is giving you the most trouble at the time. You may be pleasantly surprised. Hang in there.
LKitty
The quickest way would be to just copy and paste peoples replies and things into word or a similar program and save x
Thank you so much for your help an if I do have questions I will remember your offer hugs, Melissa
Thank you hope we both find the right specialist good luck to all of us in this rough road hugs melissa
You are welcome. I understand that things can be scary and it can feel like you are being pushed from pillar to post... but the doctors do what they think is best for us... even if it does seem that we have appointment after appointment :( xx
Your so sweet wish I had a quarter of this support at home I would take two pages on that topic title my crazy home life lol xx Melissa
Thanks Mike. A folder has now been started. There is so much good information shared on here. You know how our memories can be. Like a sieve. It will be very helpful to save certain things.
Hi Melissa,
Well, I know that different docs have different specialities, and I don't think it's unusal for a person with fibro to see all three of those doctors. In fact, I'll bet that most, if not all of us have seen at least 2 of the 3 specialists you name. It gets frustrating as all get each time a new one is added to the list, doesn't it? But the rheumatologist is the one who tests you for all different kinds of illnesses that mimic fibro or can run concurrently with it. He'd also probably be the one to diagnose you and maybe give you your meds, although mine does not.
Neurologist, I don't know about. Haven't been to one. Yet. Give it time.
Gastroenterologist - stomach issues. Maybe other issues as well. As you yourself can see, those stomach issues can be very painful. This doc can test you for ulcers and the like, and might put you on something to prevent acid reflux. Don't know what else they do, but it certainly sounds like 2 of your 3 docs are necessary.
Here's what I did to find a doctor. I had a horrible experience with my first rheumatologist, so I went on the computer and:
1. Googled the word "rheumatologist," along with my city and state plus the word "fibro."
2. Up popped quite a few names of rheumatologists in my area who were allegedly used to treating people with fibro.
3. I then took one of the names and typed it into the search area, followed by the word: "Reviews" (you could also use the word "ratings.")
4. Up popped the doctor in question and some reviews about his treatment. These reviews were from real patients.
5. Repeat as needed. You can do this with any type of doctor. There aren't always reviews or ratings available for a doctor, however.
You could also call the doctor's office to ask the person answering the phone how used to dealing with fibro the doctor in question is, and how comfortable is he with it. You could also ask how long he's been dealing with fibro patients and if he believes that fibro is a real illness or not. In fact, you might want to ask that last question first. Why bother asking any of the others if the doctor thinks that fibro is all in your head?
Hopefully others who read this who are in your area can suggest a good doctor for you, if you wish to disclose your location.
Have faith. There is someone out there for you. It takes a bit of digging to find them, it's true. Just keep the faith and you'll get there.
Smiles and tea,
Petunia
mel hi i undertsand the gi issues i too have sever stomach issues as well untill about a week ago i spent the last two yrs being told it was onlyibs and the ischemia colitis was basically a fluke think now to find out all my stomach pain is cuz my intestines are not pushing food through and i also have rectal relapse but i only see a rhemo just switched pcps but i also have a gyno specialists for vulvodonyia and a urniary specialist for ic unfortinatly from what i agtehr is fibro is linked to diffrent parts of the body requiring alot of others drs to be involved sad but true